Many of us buy a Christmas rose every year during the festive season to add a touch of color and warmth to our interiors. Its beautiful red or white petals (often mistaken for flowers) are extremely striking and perfectly suited to winter climates. In order for this plant to maintain its charm throughout the festive period and even after, it requires proper care. Although it seems delicate, with proper care it will easily last for several months and sometimes even last until the next season. Below you will find tips on how to best care for the Christmas rose so that it does not lose its charm.
Place the plant in a suitable place
Christmas roses do not tolerate extreme conditions. The optimal temperature for them is 15 to 22 degrees Celsiusso they will feel best in a slightly warm room. Do not place them near frequently opened windows – a draft can damage the plant and cause the leaves to fall. It is definitely not recommended to place them near a radiator or fireplace, because direct sources of heat lead to drying of the air and can stress the plant. Choose a place with access to natural daylightbut out of direct sunlight during hot summer days. However, you don’t have to worry about the sun’s rays in winter, because they are too weak to damage its leaves. A well-lit place will help the plant maintain the intensity of the color of the leaves and prevent them from falling.
Take care of soil and air humidity
Christmas rose it likes moisture, but hates getting wet. The ideal watering is one that moistens the soil deeply, but allows it to dry out slightly between waterings. The best way to tell is to check the soil – it should be slightly dry to a depth of a few centimeters. Watering once every few daysdepending on the conditions in your home, should be sufficient.
It is good to water the Christmas rose with lukewarm, soft water. Avoid tap water if it’s hard – it’s best to filter it or set it aside for a few hours. After watering, do not forget to remove excess water from the saucer after about 15 minutes to prevent root rot.
Christmas rose it comes from Mexico, where the air humidity is naturally high. During the heating season, the air in our homes can often be too dry, which can affect the health of this plant. If you notice that the leaves start to shrivel or fall off, low humidity may be the problem. You can prevent this by regularly sprinkling the leaves with soft water or placing a humidifier next to it. Another method is to place the pot on a plate of wet pebbles – the evaporating water will naturally increase the humidity around the plant.
Protection from drafts, fertilizing and cutting
Christmas roses they are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature, so make sure they are not exposed to drafts or cold. If you bring the plant indoors in winter, wrap it tightly in paper to protect it from frost. Even a short exposure to low temperatures can cause the plant to start losing leaves or stop developing its beautiful colors.
If you want your Christmas rose to last longer than just the holidays, it is good to transplant it into fresh soil in the spring. Over time, the soil in the pot becomes depleted, which can affect the health of the plant. Use a light, well-drained substrate and a larger potso that the plant has room to grow. After transplanting, continue watering and watch how it develops in new conditions.
At the end of winterwhen you find that the plant is doing well and you want to store it for the next season, you can start fertilizing. Fertilization fertilizers with reduced nitrogen content and increased potassium and phosphorus content will help her in development. Thanks to this, the leaves will remain intensely green and the plant will gain strength to resume growth. Avoid fertilizers during winter – the plant is then at rest and does not need additional nutrients.
If you plan to keep the Christmas rose for the next season, in the spring it is necessary to make a cut. Shorten the stems by about a third of their lengthso that the plant spreads and grows better. Pruning stimulates new growth and makes the plant thicker. This way, the Christmas rose will be better prepared for the coming months and will be able to bloom again at Christmas.
The tassels, which give the Christmas rose its characteristic festive look, require special care. To make them colorful and strong, don’t fertilize them too much, don’t water them and give the plant enough light and moderate heat. Remember that any change in conditions can affect the appearance of the leaves, so keep the environment around the plant stable.
The poinsettia will lose its leaves if you don’t after purchase
